Yes, it’s a special night and no, you definitely don’t want to ruin it.

New Year’s Eve (NYE) comes with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Everyone around is exhibiting signs of the NYE syndrome: Where’s the party? Who’s coming? What to wear? How to make the “best party ever”? And for those of you who work to earn their living, there’s an additional question: how much is it going to cost?

These syndromes, however, can get out of control if not “treated” early enough with some sensible decisions. Here’s our short list of the do’s and don’ts of a cool, fun, and special NYE.

You definitely have some ideas of your own to share with the Luckies out there. Please comment and leave your DO or DON’T. The wittiest and most genuine tip will be rewarded with an awesome Apple Watch from our partner Interlink to start the New Year with a timely resolution around your wrist.

DO ENJOY NYE FOR YOURSELF NOT FOR OTHERS. 

One sure way of ruining your NYE is planning the night according to what others (friends? followers? people? your Ex?) do. More than anywhere else, Lebanon has become so formatted that many seem to be living/eating/wearing/dating according to what “others” do or want us to believe they’re doing. It is hard to resist “ others’ ” influence. But listen to your heart, and you will know what really makes you happy on NYE, even if this means staying home with your family or sharing a great laugh with your cousins.

DO PLAN BUT DON’T OVER PLAN IT.

Yes it’s time you check what your besties are doing on NYE. There are probably several groups and as many options in the making. You can consider those options and decide according to things that matter to you:

who’s going to be there? Where is it happening? What do i need to get? etc.

Things get sour when we start over planning and wasting time and energy on irrelevant details (no, arguing over whether to go salmon canapés or zaatar minis is not going to make it or break it). Focus on the essentials.

DON’T PARTY LIKE THERE’S NO TOMORROW. 

There’s enough scientific evidence supporting that the end of the world is not on January 1st 2018. If you decide to throw all of your money on this one night and spend the rest of the month penniless and depressed, that’s your choice. But it’s a bad choice. Your bills are coming no matter how fun NYE was and no matter how many likes you get on your NYE selfies. Be prepared. Spend wisely.

DON’T BE RIDICULOUS.

The highlight of NYE is understandably at midnight, right? So what happens if you start off heavy on the booze and end up crawling on the floor – or even worse – by 10:30 pm? You’re definitely going to be the “star” of the evening, but not for the good reasons. Just don’t be ridiculous.

DO LOOK SPECIAL BUT DON’T BE A “SPECIAL CASE”.

On NYE we’re supposed to be stylish. The problem starts when you get the right style for the wrong party. See what we’re talking about? Just make sure you know where you’re going and what kind of party this is. Wearing a tiny evening dress with beautiful shiny stilettos won’t do good if the party is at Fadi’s mountain house and all the guests are wearing jeans and boots and sitting on the carpet. You may have spent a fortune on your tuxedo but you will definitely look like a “special case” if the mood is chill out and dance the Dabké to the sound of Najwa Karam.

No Lady Gaga this NYE, ok?

DO IMPROVISE.

Many of us don’t like the stress of planning how to have fun. For some fun comes with surprises and improvisation. That’s cool. That’s fun.

In most countries in Europe the best NYE plan is no plan. It’s mostly about walking the streets in lively neighborhoods and making few stops here, grabbing a sandwich there, and a making a toast over there. The new cool is actually being really and genuinely cool. Just make sure to be A) with the right  company and B) in the right neighborhood where there are enough places to stop by without prior reservation or ridiculously expensive “formule”.

Whatever you do, just make sure to walk without having to worry about the traffic and parking.

DON’T END UP IN A HOSPITAL (OR WORSE).

You’ve probably heard it many times over this week. You’ve seen the awareness campaigns everywhere, but it’s really worth repeating the message: be safe.
If you’re in a group just make sure one is not drinking (hopefully the guy who doesn’t drink alcohol or the lady who’s on antibiotics). This person is your driver, and you can all offer him a drink or a meal next Saturday.

If not, the easiest and the most practical of all is to get a taxi to drive you to and from the party. You share the taxi fare, you don’t have to worry about parking your car, and you make your mama happy.

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?

You definitely have some ideas of your own to share with the Luckies out there. Please comment and leave your DO or DON’T. The wittiest and most genuine tip will be rewarded with an awesome Apple Watch from our partner Interlink to start the New Year with a timely resolution around your wrist.